Who do you love, and why?

My grandparents. The reason why is because as an adult I’ve gotten to know them better as adults. So I look at them as more than just grandparents. I’ve gotten to know their personalities more and their past. And I just realize how much influence they’ve had on me. How much culture and spirit and energy I’ve inherited from them. And so they’re just huge blessings in my life, and so I’m lucky to have them. That’s why I love my grandparents.

Don — Los Angeles

I love my daughter. Despite the obvious reasons, of course she’s my daughter. I have a colorful past, some people think I’m an asshole. But I can say without a doubt is my daughter brings out the best of me, and what I present to her is the best version of me. The version, that at times, I haven’t thought existed. And that’s how I know I love her so much. Because I only want her to see the best, to see the best that her father has to give. I only want her to take the best parts of me, the best lessons I can muster. And that goes with no ulterior motive, no shadiness to it, it just is. I want her to take the best parts of me and I think her mother would say the same. I can say without a doubt that is one thing I’m doing right, that is pure love.

Luisa — Santa Cruz

I love my wife Meera. I love my wife. The reason why is not the gushy, mushy lovey dovey stuff. Though that of course has a lot to do with it. I love my wife because she gets me, she’s willing to walk through the mud and muck of life. She personifies what it means “for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, through thick and through thin.” I used to be pretty cynical about those things. It wasn’t even so much that I thought I would never find the right person I just didn’t understand until I met Mira. We’ve been married almost two years and it’s been wonderful and challenging and amazing and excruciating. And so many other things that I can’t even begin to describe. And yet every night I’m so grateful to fall asleep next to her and wake up the next morning next to her. I can’t imagine doing that with anybody else. And I can’t imagine going through the ups and downs, the trials and tribulations without her or with anybody else for that matter. That’s why I love my wife. And I am so grateful, honored and humbled to be her wife.

David — San Francisco
I love my dog Studs. He is 13. He is a little monster, and I can’t imagine not coming home to him every day. He has been sick lately and so I appreciate it even more and cannot imagine life without him. I guess that’s love.